A vile rapist who groomed and coerced his victim through fear of violence has been pictured for the first time. Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, Darren Brassington has been jailed for rape and other sexual offences. The 47-year-old, of Queens Road, Carterton, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday (October 29) and was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment with an extended four years on license.
The offender was found guilty of two counts of rape of a female and two counts of assault by penetration following a seven-day trial at Oxford Crown Court. During the trial, the court heard how he had violently raped and sexually abused the victim, who he had groomed and coerced through fear of violence. Brassington was arrested on Sunday, February 16, this year and charged with the offences two days later.
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Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Matt Richardson said: “Darren Brassington violently raped and sexually abused the victim, a young woman who he had groomed and coerced through fear of violence into having contact with him only a month prior.
“The victim in this case has been incredibly brave; without her support, I have no doubt that Brassington would have continued to pose a risk to any female who had the misfortune of coming into contact with him. I am very grateful for her unwavering support throughout this case.
“I hope that the victim can continue on the road to recovery knowing that Brassington was found guilty and jailed as a result of his actions.
“We will work tirelessly to bring those who cause harm to others to justice, and we encourage any sexual offence victims to report what’s happened to the police.”
During his trial in August, Defence barrister Lyall Thompson explained that when Brassington was arrested, his phone was seized and examined, This Is Oxfordshire reported.
The jury heard that after the attack in February, the victim was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital and spoken to by police.
The woman told officers: “I didn’t want to have sex with him, I don’t like him.”
A statement from PC Edward Lee, who spoke to the woman in hospital, was read out to the jury. The statement said: “I attended the John Radcliffe Hospital after paramedics raised concerns about a female.
“She was very shy and did not appear comfortable to speak to us at first.
“She explained she met a man called Brassington who is a drug dealer. She approached him to buy drugs in January.
“He let her have drugs for free but expected a relationship with her. She said she didn’t want to have sex with him, but that she wanted drugs from him.
“She said she was scared of him. He would turn up unannounced at her home.”
The court heard that Brassington took the victim out for drives in his car and that he put the child lock on so she couldn’t get out and would not say where they were going.